INTRODUCTION, 3 



been thrown on the aaion and effbas of the manures at 

 present emplovcd, but the uses of other substances, and 

 methods of combming and preparing them^ have been 

 discovered ; from which there are just grounds to believe 

 a valuable addition will accrue to the present stock of 

 Agricultural Knowledge. 



It will appear that the saline, and other substances ca- 

 pable of being applied to promote vegetation, are very nu- 

 merous ; by far the greater part of them have escaped the 

 notice of those who have made Agriculture their study, 

 nor have any attempts even been made to explain on 

 chemical principles the operation of the manures and 

 substances now in use. Had such researches been prose- 

 cuted to cffeft, they would has^e led to the discovery 

 and application of other substances capable of being em- 

 ployed, with equal, or perhaps superior advantages. 



The promoting of Agriculture is not solely to be con- 

 sidered as creating a more plentiful supply of food, but 

 it is to be regarded as morally and politically conducing 

 to the true happiness of man, by giving to him the occu- 



A 2 pation 



